#defekice

The final days for Halloran’s Home Pizza in St. Clairsville were tough times for city residents and pizza enthusiasts alike. It was a decades-long downtown fixture that had become an institution for current and former residents. It was as much a part of town as Memorial Park or Red Devil Stadium. A slice or two, or better yet, a tray of Home Pizza was a must when swinging through town. But while its closure left a gaping hole in the hearts and minds of city residents, it certainly hasn’t dampened their appetite for pizza. That hole was filled right quick. St. Clairsville may annually earn the Tree City USA designation, but what it should be known for is Pizza City USA, or at minimum, for the Ohio Valley. That’s because St. Clairsville functions as the pizza hub of the Ohio Valley. Sure, other local communities have their own signature shops. Wheeling has ‘The Grove’ DiCarlos, now known as Patsy’s Pizza. Steubenville has the original Original DiCarlo’s Pizza, Martins Ferry has Zontini’s, and Carlini’s can be found in Shadyside, along with the original DeFelice Brothers Pizza. After all, this is the valley, where the signature square slices with cold toppings is a style all its own. But it is the city of St. Clairsville, per capita, that possesses the most diverse and extensive offerings of local shops and national chains with variations both in style and speciality. There are currently nine pizza shops in St. Clairsville when you include the mall, plaza and outlying areas outside of city limits but still considered part of the greater St. Clairsville community. That number will increase back to 10 when Pizza Express finishes its expansion into this highly competitive market … and at the site of the former Home Pizza, no less. Once open, it will be one of five pizza shops within a three block radius in downtown St. Clairsville, joining Pizza Shack, Papa D’s, Pizza Milano and DiCarlo’s. Further down the road, you’ll find Domino’s to the west and Pizza Hut and DeFelice Brothers to the east along U.S. 40. A quick turn down to the Ohio Valley Plaza will find a Little Caesar’s, and rounding out the offerings is Fabio’s inside the Ohio Valley Mall. The options are endless. LEDENews.com took an informal straw poll on the St. Clairsville, Ohio Facebook page, asking participants to select their favorite pizza shop of the 10. While Pizza Express isn’t in town yet, it was included as a choice as an anticipatory vote. The seven local shops will be detailed in the order of the votes they received while national chains Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Little Caesar’s took up the final three spots in the poll.

Pizza Shack

Pizza Shack corners the lunchtime market in St. Clairsville. Being positioned directly across from the high school and open during school lunch hours tends to help. But proximity aside, Pizza Shack has positioned itself to be the top offering in town according to voters of our poll. The pizza and breadsticks are both popular offerings, but ask customers what keeps them coming back to Pizza Shack and the answer is generally the same: the French bread pizza.’ Subs and salads are also offered. Address: 111 E. Woodrow Avenue Hours: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (when school is in session); 2-9 p.m. Phone: (740) 695-4244 Poll Position: 1st (123 votes, 24.4%)

DeFelice Brothers

When Dom DeFelice opened a shop in St. Clairsville, he knew he was entering a crowded and competitive market, but he also believed there were enough customers to go around as each pizza shop offered their own unique take on the product. DeFelice Brothers Pizza is no different. Winners of multiple awards, including the “Best in the USA” title at the World Pizza Championship in Sallsomaggiore, Italy, along with recent winner, the Mighty Meat pizza. What makes this DeFelice location unique is its lunch and dinner buffet. It’s also the only DeFelice with a full-sized dining room for customer seating. DeFelice also touts his staff’s attention to detail and the customer service they provide as being second to none. The restaurant also offers a full catering line, including a uniquely flavored garlic crusted chicken that’s only available on the catering menu. While the chicken isn’t on the restaurant menu, wings can be ordered with the same flavoring. Address: 50890 National Road East Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch buffet); 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sun-Thurs), 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Fri-Sat) Phone: 740-695-5090 Website: eatdefelice.com Poll Position: 2nd (102, 20.2%)

Fabio’s

For more the 25 years, Ohio Valley Mall customers have been treated to the pizza stylings of Tom Cracolici and his staff at Fabio’s Pizza. Offering Sicilian, Napolitano and Chicago style pizzas, as well as the famous meat pie, Fabio’s has large, scrumptious slices which is a stark contrast to the square slices found at many other Ohio Valley shops. The shop offers seating for upwards of 80 and customers can pick out which slice(s) look best from a large and varied assortment. Pizza is far from the only thing Fabio’s offers, however. With menu offerings akin to an Italian eatery, numerous pasta options are available, along with calzones, Stromboli, pepperoni rolls, hoagies and even  cannolis. Cracolici has a lot of long-time staff members who keep the packed lines moving quickly. Address: 67800 Mall Ring Road, Unit 660 Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: (740) 695-9196 Poll Position: 3rd (94, 18.7%)

Pizza Milano

According to Cleveland.com’s 2019 rankings, Pizza Milano has the best pizza in Belmont County. While it came in fourth in our online straw poll, the shop owned and operated by Engin Guler certainly has staying power. Like many of the other shops on this list, Pizza Milano not only survives but thrives in a town with numerous pizza options. It recently moved spots from next to Swan’s Sport Shop to a few blocks East on Main Street. Pizza Milano offers a large assortment or traditional and white pizzas, including numerous gourmet options with toppings to tantalize even the pickiest of eaters. The shop also offers wings, appetizers, calzones, pasta, salads and hoagies. Pizza Milano is also one of the few shops in St. Clairsville that offers a full catering menu. Address: 147 E. Main Street Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Phone: (740) 695-2088 Website: ohpizzamilano.com Poll Position: 4th (61, 12.1%)

DiCarlo’s

DiCarlo’s is the name and the brand you know. It sells itself. Owner Dave King realizes this, which is why he didn’t hesitate to open a store in an already saturated market. He also knows that he can’t live on the DiCarlo’s name alone and prides himself on offering up exceptional quality products to keep his customers coming back. The signature DiCarlo’s square slices are a big hit, as are the pepperoni rolls that he makes primarily in his Morristown shop, but also in St. Clairsville. You can find them at fundraisers throughout the area and also in gas stations and convenience stores as DiCarlo’s pepperoni rolls sell wherever they are carried. Address: 117 W. Main Street Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: (740) 449-2195 Website: dicarlosopizza.com Poll Position: 5th (47, 9.3%)

Papa D’s

Papa D’s Pizza has been in business in St. Clairsville for nearly 10 years, first in the current home of Low Lock Tattoo Studio and then at its present home at East Main Street. But David Crosby has been in the pizza business long before, at one point owning the DiCarlo’s franchise in town. When he set out on his own, he decided to put his own twist on the an old recipe and make it definitively a Papa D’s creation. Papa D’s offers your typical Ohio Valley square pizza faire in various combinations of toppings, along with pasta, subs, calzones, bread sticks and pepperoni rolls. One thing that Papa D’s offers that is unique in the city limits is beer. Customers can come in and have a beer with their pizza, or, have it delivered as part of their pizza order. Address: 165 E. Main Street Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: (740) 695-3595 Website: papadspizzamenu.com Poll Position: 6th (26, 5.1%)

Pizza Express